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Rudimental collaborating with funk icon George Clinton

By:
WENN.com
Aug 14, 2014

British dance stars Rudimental have landed their dream collaboration after hitting the studio with funk legend George Clinton. The Waiting All Night hitmakers' songwriter Kesi Dryden reveals they are trying to recreate the vibe of the soulful dance hits of the 1960s and 1970s for their upcoming second album and they have received a little help from Clinton and U.S. jazz rockers Steely Dan.
Dryden tells the BBC, "One of our dreams came true recently. We managed to do two songs with George Clinton from Parliament Funkadelic. We worked with Steely Dan, as well. These are really big influences on us."
He adds, "We want to bring it back to what James Brown and Parliament were doing back in the day. It was dance music, but it was live.
"We're really digging deep in that side of things and trying to bring back that energy to the stage."
Rudimental are hoping to release the follow-up to 2013's Home by the end of the year (14).

Legendary session drummer Dennis Chambers has been hospitalised with an unspecified illness just a week after performing at the Festival da Jazz in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The funk icon, who has worked with Steely Dan, Parliament-Funkadelic and Santana, is suffering liver problems, according to former bandmate Bootsy Collins.
In a post on Facebook.com, he writes, "Dennis Chambers is in intensive care and they're working on getting him off the respirator. They are filtering his liver, as it's not functioning well."
Chambers is best known for his work on Santana's Soul Sacrifice. He has also toured extensively with Steely Dan, and appeared on the band's Alive in America album.
He was a member of Parliament-Funkadelic from 1978 to 1985.

FOX
When it comes to the Super Bowl, you better go big or go home. That rule applies to the television shows that air episodes after the big game ends, and none of them took that adage more seriously this year than New Girl, who recruited legendary musician Prince for a guest starring role. But while some loved his television debut, and all of the funk that he brought with him, others felt that there was something missing from his small screen moment.
Of course, Prince is not the first celebrity to play himself on a sitcom, and he likely won't be the last. We've rundown the best celebrity sitcom appearances, and graded them, based on their ability to be a good sport, their place in the sitcom's universe, and most importantly, whether or not they were actually funny. So, who were the best, and who were better off sticking a sock in it?
Prince, New Girl Role in Story: After Jess and Cece almost get run over by a car, the driver invites them to a fancy party at her boss' mansion. Her boss: Prince. While there, Jess undertakes Prince's montage of spiritual training to figure out why she's so afraid to tell Nick she loves him. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: No. It's f**king nonsense. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 5/5. The whole episode is everyone fawning over Prince (including Prince). They even retconned high school-era Nick as a Prince fan, which doesn't really add up to his curmudgeonly, feelings-hating ways. Self-Mockery of the Role: 3.5/5. To be fair, he did come off as quite an oddball. Celeb's Comic Ability: 3.5/5. Prince actually can handle a joke better than you'd think. Overall Grade: A purple stain on the record of the music artist and this once clever show.
Adam Sandler, Brooklyn Nine-Nine Role in Story: Sandler was a guest at an auction of Greek antiquities that Peralta and Santiago infiltrated to locate a jewel thief. They found the thief, but not before Peralta and Samberg exchanged some witty banter, and Samberg got the rest of the guests to bid on stuffing his dirty sock into Peralta's mouth. Charming. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: Sort of. It makes sense that Peralta and Santiago would run into some powerful people at an art auction, but the fact that it was Sandler made it feel random. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 2/5. He was definitely shown to be cooler than Peralta and smarter than people would assume, but mostly he was there to pick on Peralta and be picked on himself. Self-Mockery of the Role: 4.5/5. One of the best jokes came when Peralta asked what role Kevin James was playing in Samberg's upcoming film about the Russian Revolution, to which Sandler replied: "Oh, ha ha. It's a serious film ... Trotsky." Celeb's Comic Ability: 4/5. He's famous for being funny, and he was, but it was all pretty one-note. Overall Grade: Better than That's My Boy, but not quite as good as Happy Gilmore.
James Franco, 30 Rock Role in Story: Franco was pretending to date Jenna Maroney in order to keep paparazzi from finding out about his true love, a body pillow named Kimiko. Later in the episode, Liz shares a wild night with James and his "lady," one that she very much regrets in the morning. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: Perfect sense, as weird as that sounds. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 3/5. He wasn't fawned over, but he wasn't completely dismissed, either. Self-Mockery of the Role: 4/5. What better way to poke fun at how weird Franco is than by revealing that he's dating a body pillow? Celeb's Comic Ability: 4/5. He's best known for his comedy, whether its scripted or not. Overall Grade: Almost as funny as him releasing a new edition of As I Lay Dying with a photo of himself on the cover.
Jean Claude Van Damme, Friends Role in Story: Van Damme was starring in a film, and the gang sneaks onto the set to help Ross track down his former pet monkey, marcel. Rachel and Monica compete for the action star's attention, until he proposes they have a threesome with Drew Barrymore, at which point, they promptly dump him. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: A little bit. Do we believe that Ross would go on a city-wide search for a monkey? Yes. Do we believe Rachel and Monica would compete over a guy? Sure. But do we believe anyone would ever let these people anywhere close to a movie star? No way. Not even Joey. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 4.5/5. It was a plot all about how good looking he was. Self-Mockery of the Role: 2/5. He was a little cocky, but it was mostly about how good looking he was. Celeb's Comic Ability: 2/5. Granted, he only had about two lines, but it wasn't particularly comedic. Overall Grade: Nowhere near as epic as the viral wiveo where he's doing the split.
Stan Lee, The Big Bang Theory Role in Story: Thanks to their friend Stuart, the gang gets to meet Stan Lee and have him sign their comic books - everyone except for Sheldon, who has to appear in court on a traffic summons. To make it up to them, Penny takes Sheldon to Stan's house, uninvited, and when he sarcastically invites Sheldon into his house, Sheldon enthusiastically accepts, resulting in a new restraining order that he can hang next to the ones from Leonard Nimoy and Carl Sagan. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: Yes. Sheldon would completely overreact about missing the chance to hang out with his hero, and Stan Lee would definitley have a restraining order taken out against him. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 4/5. He's treated like the god he is to comic book fans. Self-Mockery of the Role: 3/5. It's mostly Sheldon who gets mocked, but having him get frustrated by the "fanboys" who won't leave him alone was a nice touch. Celeb's Comic Ability: 3.5/5. He doesn't have a lot to do, but he's good at what he does. Overall Grade: Better than a gift basket, not as awesome as an autographed napkin from Leonard Nimoy. Jon Voight, Seinfeld Role in Story: George purchases a car under the pretenses that its previous owner was none other than Jon Voight (knowing not that the real previous owner was John Voight, a dentist). Later on, Kramer accosts Voight in order to find out the truth behind the automobile's ownership, only to have his arm bitten by the angry film legend. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: It's Seinfeld, so... sure. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 2/5. George was thrilled that he was in possession of Voight's car, comparing him favorably to the likes of (pfft!) Liam Neeson. But Self-Mockery of the Role: 5/5. Voight's small onscreen appearance made him out to be a lunatic. Celeb's Comic Ability: 5/5. Nobody bites Michael Richards like Joe Buck.Overall Grade: One of my personal favorite Seinfeld episodes, which is saying a lot.
Luis Guzman, Community Role in Story: Dean Pelton wants to make a new commercial to help boost enrollment at Greendale, so he recruits the school's most famous alum, Luis Guzman, to star in it. Unfortunately, by the time he shows up on campus, the commercial has gone from Apolocalypse Now to Hearts of Darkness. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: With a show this weird, anything's possible. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 2/5. One the one hand, he's Greendale's most famous alumnus. On the other, he's Greendale's most famous alumnus. Self-Mockery of the Role: 5/5. Although the joke was on Dean Pelton and Greendale, Guzman's allowance of his likeness as a Greendale Community College alum is something that only someone with a great sense of humor would do (case in point: Mark Hamill said 'no' to Dan Harmon and co). Celeb's Comic Ability: 4/5. Even before he shows up onscreen, we're already laughing. Overall Grade: As awesome as a Kickpuncher marathon.
Andy Richter, Arrested Development Role in Story: Unfortunately, he can't stop running into the Bluth family wherever he goes. Eventually, he gives in, and helps Michael attempt to get the Bluth family bopic off the ground. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: Yes, but weirdly, his four brothers are a better fit for the Bluth family's antics. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 1.5/5. He's famous enough to get into the Ealing Club, but not so famous that people can't tell him apart from his brothers. Self-Mockery of the Role: 5/5. One point for each Richter quintuplet. Celeb's Comic Ability: 4/5. He's Conan's sidekick, and don't you forget it. Overall Grade: Like the Bluth's chicken dance: weird, nonsensical, and delightful.
Sinbad, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Role in Story: After Dennis checks into rehab to help the sales of his erotic memoirs, he is forced to share a room with Sinbad and Rob Thomas. And Sinbad doesn't like him. Not one bit. Of course, like most things on this show, it all turns out to be a drug-induced hallucination. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: Without the drugs? Not really. But as a terrible hallucination? Totally. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 4/5. He runs that rehab center, and he will make everyone his b**ch. Self-Mockery of the Role: 4/5. Nobody was expecting Sinbad to be the foul-mouthed bad boy of the rehab center. Celeb's Comic Ability: 4/5. And if you don't think he's funny, he'll have Rob Thomas beat you with a slipper. Overall Grade: Solidly on par with the rest of the gang's get-rich-quick schemes.
Joe Biden, Parks and Recreation Role in Story: Through his campaign work in Washington, Ben is able to introduce Leslie to her biggest crush: Vice President Joe Biden. For once in her life, Leslie is speechless. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: It's a little hard to believe Ben would be connected enough to meet the VP, but there's no ay that Leslie would not have met Joe Biden eventually. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 4/5. There is nothing on this planet that Leslie loves more than Joe Biden. Nothing. Not even waffles. Self-Mockery of the Role: 1/5. Leslie shows him a little too much respect, if anything. Celeb's Comic Ability: 3/5. He doesn't have any funny lines, but Biden's a naturally funny guy. Just Google him. Overall Grade: Better than a waffle tower.
Stevie Wonder, The Cosby Show Role in Story: Denise and Theo get into a car accident with Stevie Wonder's chauffered limo. As an apology, he invites the Huxtables to the studio for a jam session. Does That Make Any Sense in the Show's Universe: That doesn't make sense in any universe, let alone this one. Self-Aggrandizement of the Role: 3/5. The Huxtables are understandably starstruck, but he's pretty humble and down-to-earth. Self-Mockery of the Role: 1.5/5. He cracks a few jokes, but neither he nor the show actually mock him. Celeb's Comic Ability: 2/5. Those few jokes a pretty good, but he's not there for the comedy. Overall Grade: Not nearly as iconic as Dr. Huxtable's collection of sweaters. Follow @hollywood_com
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The golden gramophone trophies have been carried away by the lucky winners. The rented jewelry has been returned. Industrial Light &amp; Magic has repossessed Carrie Underwood’s light-up dress. CBS has confined the idea of a telecast dress code to the dustbin of broadcast history. And entertainment journalists now have to wait two full weeks until the Oscars before they have a legitimate reason to write the term "sideboob." But, like our anger over seeing Rihanna cuddle up to Chris Brown, many questions about the 2013 Grammy Awards remain. We consider it a public service to answer 12 of the biggest for you.
1. What’s the difference between Prince and Lisbeth Salander?
Seven Grammys and one cane.
RELATED: Rating the Grammy Performances from Best to LL Cool J
2. Okay, in all seriousness now, what's the difference between Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year?
This is a perpetual Burning Question when it comes to the Grammys because it’s just so confusing! Record of the Year honors the best individual recorded track to debut during the eligibility period (in this case, October 2011 through October 2012). That’s an award that recognizes the production behind a song. So if a song wins Record of the Year, Grammy trophies will be handed out to the artist who recorded it, as well as the producer, mastering engineer, and mixer who helped create its sound. Song of the Year, on the other hand, recognizes songwriting and is awarded to whomever wrote the ditty—which often has not been the person who performed it. However, at this Grammys the writers of the 2013 Song of the Year, “We Are Young,” were exactly the same as those who performed it: the band fun. Grammy rewarded “We Are Young” for its structure and lyrics, while Gotye &amp; Kimbra’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” got feted for its unique sonic production as Record of the Year. Album of the Year is easy. That’s the best LP-length collection of tracks that’s not a compilation of already-released songs. This time Album of the Year went to Mumford &amp; Sons’ Babel. Make Sense?
RELATED: Why Can’t We Admit Frank Ocean’s Performance Was Bad?
3. How many American Idol winners have won Grammys?
Four of the eleven American Idol winners to date have taken home Grammy trophies. Of course, there’s Kelly Clarkson, who last night snagged Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “(What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You) Stronger,” her third Grammy to date. And Grammy magnet Carrie Underwood has won six. Fantasia picked up one in 2011 for her song “Bittersweet.” But best of all? Gray-haired trivia-night answer Taylor Hicks netted his first ever Grammy yesterday for, get this, Best Comedy Album. The Season 5 winner appeared on one of the tracks of Jimmy Fallon’s Blow Your Pants Off, and made enough of a showing to qualify for a trophy himself.
4. Was alcohol allowed inside the Staples Center during the ceremony?
Judging by the behavior of some of the attendees, you’d probably think the answer is “yes.” I mean, why else would Taylor Swift sing along to EVERY SINGLE PERFORMANCE. But, actually, alcohol was strictly prohibited.
RELATED: Taylor Swift Tries Something New at the Grammys—Cool or Embarassing?
5. Did Chris Brown stay seated when Frank Ocean won his award?
See for yourself. He's in the white suit looking all like Rene Belloq. This guy really knows how to make friends and influence people, huh?
6. Who was the Black Keys keyboardist with the headdress?
That would be Dr. John, the 62-year-old New Orleans funk legend and recent Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame inductee. He released a new album in 2012 called Locked Down which was produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, who also contributed guitar and backing vocals. Hence his appearance with the Keys at the show.
NEXT: What did Marcus Mumford say when he was bleeped? Who was that guy wearing the astronaut suit? And have the Grammys now become the longest awards show?
7. Who was the guy wearing the astronaut suit?
Here’s a rule: if any Grammy attendee is wearing weird face-obscuring headgear, that person is either Lady Gaga or a European/Canadian electronica artist. In this case it’s the latter. DeadMau5 wears his giant rodent chapeau. Daft Punk wear their Tron-style lightcycle helmets. And Swiss dance music artist Al Walser wears an astronaut’s spacesuit. Never heard of Walser? You can be forgiven. He was nominated for his first Grammy at this year’s ceremony in the Best Dance Recording category for “I Can’t Live Without You.”
RELATED: Kim Kashkashian Wins a Grammy?!
8. Why did Bruno Mars and Sting sing their own songs during the Bob Marley tribute?
Even I, a fan of the tribute to the late reggae icon, have to admit that its concept was about as hazy as the air at one of Marley’s ganja-fueled concerts. But I guess the idea was this: Both Mars and Sting have been heavily influenced by Marley, so they sang two of their own songs—“Locked Out of Heaven” and “Walking on the Moon” respectively—that featured a cool Jamaican vibe. Sadly, that left time for only one actual Bob Marley song, the slithering guitar jam “Could You Be Loved,” on which the Rastafarian maestro’s sons Ziggy and Damian lent an assist.
Perhaps the biggest unanswered Burning Question of all is “How can we take the Grammys seriously when Bob Marley never actually won one?”
RELATED: J.Lo's Plunging Dress and More of the Most Controversial Grammy Moments Ever
9. What did Marcus Mumford say when he was bleeped during his acceptance speech?
Dude just won a Grammy, but he had to itch a previous grievance. He thanked the Recording Academy for the award, unlike last year when “Adele f***ing won everything.”
10. When will “Pusher Love Girl,” the new song that Justin Timberlake performed, be available on iTunes?
As of right now, there appears to be no indication that “Pusher Love Girl” will be released as a standalone single ahead of its inclusion on Timberlake’s new album The 20/20 Experience. Currently, the only songs available for purchase off the LP are “Suit &amp; Tie” and the eight-minute opus “Mirrors.”
11. Are the Grammys the longest awards show of the year?
At this point, yes. No other awards show pencils in a full three-and-a-half hours of coverage as the default running time of the ceremony. Yes, the Oscars are always criticized for their length. But they only reserve three hours of broadcast time and, of late, have only been going over by about 15 minutes. (Long gone are the days for four-hour-plus ceremonies). The Globes and Emmys usually keep it to about a solid three hours. Blame a telecast larded with performances for the Grammys bloated length. Really, they could have ended at 11:15 ET last night, but they just had to let LL Cool J relive his 1990 glory days.
12. Is Taylor Swift really Jigsaw from the Saw movies?
Apparently so. Her anti-ex-boyfriend vengeance has been teetering on the edge of torture-porn extremity for awhile now, but it ventured into full Eli Roth bondage fantasy territory when she had a nerdy guy tied up on a torture wheel to await some kind of grisly fate. At this point I think most straight guys could be forgiven for replying to Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” with “Is that a promise?”
What else left you scratching your head about the ceremony?
Follow Christian Blauvelt on Twitter@Ctblauvelt
[Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images; CBS; Joe Klamer/Getty Images; Kevin Mazur/WireImage
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Robert Zemeckis is a blockbuster director at heart. Action has never been an issue for the man behind Back to the Future. When he puts aside the high concept adventures for emotional human stories — think Forrest Gump or Cast Away — he still goes big. His latest Flight continues the trend revolving the story of one man's fight with alcoholism around a terrifying plane crash. Zemeckis expertly crafts his roaring centerpiece and while he finds an agile performer in Denzel Washington the hour-and-a-half of Flight after the shocking moment can't sustain the power. The "big" works. The intimate drowns.
Washington stars as Whip Whitaker a reckless airline pilot who balances his days flying jumbo jets with picking up women snorting lines of cocaine and drinking himself to sleep. Although drunk for the flight that will change his life forever that's not the reason the plane goes down — in fact it may be the reason he thinks up his savvy landing solution in the first place. Writer John Gatins follows Whitaker into the aftermath madness: an investigation of what really happened during the flight Whitaker's battle to cap his addictions and budding relationships that if nurtured could save his life.
Zemeckis tops his own plane crash in Cast Away with the heart-pounding tailspin sequence (if you've ever been scared of flying before Flight will push into phobia territory). In the few scenes after the literal destruction Washington is able to convey an equal amount of power in the moments of mental destruction. Whitaker is obviously crushed by the events the bottle silently calling for him in every down moment. Flight strives for that level of introspection throughout eventually pairing Washington with equally distraught junkie Nicole (Kelly Reilly). Their relationship is barely fleshed out with the script time and time again resorting to obvious over-the-top depictions of substance abuse (a la Nic Cage's Leaving Las Vegas) and the bickering that follows. Washington's Whitaker hits is lowest point early sitting there until the climax of the film.
Sharing screentime with the intimate tale is the surprisingly comical attempt by the pilot's airline union buddy (Bruce Greenwood) and the company lawyer (Don Cheadle) to get Whitaker into shape. Prepping him for inquisitions looking into evidence from the wreckage and calling upon Whitaker's dealer Harling (John Goodman) to jump start their "hero" when the time is right the two men do everything they can to keep any blame being placed upon Whitaker by the National Transportation Safety Board investigators. The thread doesn't feel relevant to Whitaker's plight and in turn feels like unnecessary baggage that pads the runtime.
Everything in Fight shoots for the skies — and on purpose. The music is constantly swelling the photography glossy and unnatural and rarely do we breach Washington's wild exterior for a sense of what Whitaker's really grappling with. For Zemeckis Flight is still a spectacle film with Washington's ability to emote as the magical special effect. Instead of using it sparingly he once again goes big. Too big.
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Community, angry voicemails and showrunner drama aside, we're oh-so-happy that you're coming back next year. But even if you weren't, ending your season finale with a satisfying montage and a loving nod to your fans -- #SixSeasonsAndAMovie -- was a classy move. Thank you for proving to a small (but dedicated) portion of this world that great comedy doesn't always have to be before its time (Arrested Development), and thank you for creating a show where an 8-bit Gus Fring is possible. From alternate timelines to Dick Wolf-inspired courtrooms, this season has been a joy to watch -- and it's been an honor fighting the good fight with you.
Truly, the last two minutes of "Introduction to Finality" -- the third segment of last night's Community triple feature -- could have gone either way. If the show had been cancelled, fans would have been satisfied with their favorite characters' fates: Shirley and Pierce would run their sandwich shop together, Jeff would finally search for his father, Troy would live happily with Annie and Abed as the "messiah" of air conditioning repair school, and Chang would continue to mess with the study group from afar -- well, from as far as City College. Oh, and Starburns would be there too, as we saw him poring over a book called The Science of Death-Faking. We'd be happy to know that somewhere, somehow, things were still absolutely banana-pants over at Greendale -- where Britta would still be Britta'ing things up. Luckily, things didn't quite turn out that way, and instead we have some major seeds planted for future action in season four.
Since an hour and a half of oddball action is difficult to discuss in detail, let's just stick to the basics: Episode one, "Digital Estate Planning," diverted from the expelled Greendale Seven plotline to take us on one final grand adventure -- in an 8-bit, side-scrolling-adventure-slash-RPG game. See, back in 1979, Pierce insisted to his domineering jackass father that video games were the future. Since the crotchety moist towelette man disagreed, he created a game (from that era) that could possibly serve as his son's downfall. The rules of the game were simple, Hawthrone explained, even if its gameplay was not: Pierce and seven of his cabal of "freaks, junkies, and sluts" ("Her name is Britta!") would enter Mr. Hawthorne's imagined universe as avatars, and the one who first made it to Hawthorne Castle (going through Gay Island and the Black Cave, natch) would nab Pierce's inheritance.
Of course, none of Pierce's friends would actually steal his inheritance. But since Levar Burton was busy that day, the role of the seventh friend was assumed by the nefarious Gilbert Lawson -- known to most as the half-faced Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) from Breaking Bad, and eventually revealed to be Pierce's long-hidden half-brother. The game was hilarious and compelling, and it had our favorite characters doing what we love best: Sitting around and talking with each other, just in a much more ridiculous setting. And guess what? In a pinch, they can always count on Britta to mess up making potions in the best possible way.
Yes, this episode was a stand alone budget-stretcher that didn't quite fit in with the next two installments, and it was the exactly the kind of "f--k you" episode that Harmon regularly airs in spite of the fact that it alienates new viewers. I loved it regardless, and in the midst of all the distracting 8-bit action, there was substantial evidence brewing that Pierce was re-emerging as a valued member of the study group -- he even showed some empathy by letting Gilbert take the prize. The gang has had their differences throughout the year, but when a member of the group is threatened like Abed was last week, they always come together to fight for the good of the Greendale Seven. And if Abed meets a recently-orphaned milkmaid named Hilda whose dialogue options are all pre-programmed to eliminate any element of surprise -- well, then, all the better. "Die, racism!"
Next up was "The First Chang Dynasty," the episode that finally answered the question: Where the eff is the Dean? (In the central air room, under the cafeteria, shirtless.) But more importantly, it finally gave the Greendale Seven the chance to re-take their former school, in an elaborate Jeff-created heist that put Ocean's Eleven to shame. Of course, "Benjamin Franklin" Chang took on the Andy Garcia role, while the halls of Greendale represented Las Vegas' Bellagio. Same thing. What I loved most about this episode was not a shirtless Joel McHale in goth attire, or even the mention of a photo booth with props: It was the fun of seeing our gang take Greendale by storm for the third year in a row, without using the same paintball gimmick. Bravo to Harmon and co. for creating a great tradition and making it even stronger, and Brava to Britta Perry for having the ability to seduce a pre-teen boy in ten seconds.
With Dean and the Seven out of the way, Chang was ruling over Greendale with the same kind of care and compassion you see from King Joffrey over on Game of Thrones. As Britta put it, "It's just like Stalin back in Russia times." To cap off his ultimate triumph, Chang was throwing the most elaborate, budget-busting birthday party the school had ever seen. Included on the roster: A dance-off, a sundae bar, one of those Ed Hardy street magicians, and a photo booth with props. This gave the show the perfect opportunity to provide brilliant Troy and Abed caricatures and bits with Jeff and Britta in sexy costumes -- all in an elaborate attempt to thwart Chang's teen militia. Of course, Troy could just join the Air Conditioning Repair Annex to save the Dean, but that would mean giving up his life with the Seven.
Sadly, despite a hilarious hodge-podge of typical heist tropes, (costume changes, fake-outs, a victory that seemed like a failure that was actually really a victory) the Seven found themselves locked in the basement with no hope. Troy knew that the all-powerful Air Conditioning Repair Annex was always watching, so he sadly nodded to indicate his willingness to give up his freedom to save his friends. Troy and Abed hugged goodbye, and the hero sadly packed his bags. And here began the final (and best) chapter: The Final Final-ness of the Greendale Seven.
It was now the end of summer, and with Chang locked up in the vents of City College, the only thing on Jeff Winger's mind was finally passing biology class. Everything seemed to be status quo, and Shirley had even received some good news: The cafeteria Subway shop had closed, to be replaced by "Shirley's Sandwiches." But underneath their apparent happiness, a deeper emotional trouble was brewing -- Abed was deeply suffering without his best friend, and Troy was suffocating under the militaristic vents of the AC Repair Annex. "Psychologist" Britta tried her best to pull Abed out of his funk, but all this did was bring out Evil Abed, who made Britta feel even worse about herself. ("I'm the center slice of a square cheese pizza. You're Jim Belushi.")
If fans were expecting a Community-brand banana-pants blowout to end the season, they weren't going to find it here. As I said before, this could potentially have been Community's final episode, so using it as a touching vehicle to bring the divided gang back together again was the perfect choice. Without the strength of his community, Jeff had again become selfish. His agreement to represent Shirley in "Greendale Court" as she fought Pierce for the right to sign the dotted line on the Sandwich form was more out of annoyance than anything else. And Abed was completely malfunctioning: The chaotic Evil Abed was now running the show, planning to bring darkness and destruction to the current timeline.
The severely bruised and divided gang would need a swift kick in the ass to bring themselves together, and luckily they got two: First, Murray from the AC Annex murdered Vice Dean Laybourne, resulting in the need for a death match via the "Sun Chamber." Troy and Murray would battle head-to-head in glass boxes pumped full of hot air, until one of them yielded from the heat. Second, Jeff's old nemesis Alan Connor (Rob Corddry) returned to represent Pierce in the Sandwich trial. If Jeff didn't throw the case, preserving Connor's wealthy client, he wouldn't get his job back after graduation. It was a lose-lose situation.
Except, no -- it wasn't. Shirley told Jeff that sacrificing his career wasn't worth it, so she would gladly allow Pierce to sign the dotted line. And Troy won the Sun Chamber match using literally no effort, effectively becoming the all-ruling messiah of the AC Annex. As both of these cases came to a close, a once-again-changed Jeff waxed poetic on everything he (and we) learned this season. "The truth is, the pathetically, stupidly inconveniently obvious truth is, helping only ourselves is bad, and helping each other is good," he said. "Now, I just wanted to get out of here, pass biology, and be a lawyer again instead of helping Shirley. That was bad...But now, Shirley has gone good. Shirley is helping me. It's that easy. You just stop thinking about what's good for you, and start thinking about what's good for someone else -- and you can change the whole game with one move."
It should be the easiest concept to grasp, but nothing seems that simple when we're in the middle of our own real or self-created problems. But Harmon nailed it on the head: Like the study group, if we could all take a f**king second to think about someone else for a change, the world would be a whole lot better. After Jeff's motivational speech, Abed snapped out of his funk, Troy re-joined the group, and even Pierce contributed to the love by defending gay people. It was a beautiful moment to top off a troubled but ambitious season. Lots of love, and prayers for a brilliant and Harmon-ious season four.
Follow Shaunna on Twitter @HWShaunna
[Photo Credit: NBC]
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The Dixie Chicks stunned America at the Grammy Awards Sunday night by claiming five big prizes, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Just four years after the trio was ostracized for making anti-President George W. Bush comments onstage during a London concert, they were celebrated for hit song "Not Ready to Make Nice" and album Taking the Long Way.
In accepting the Best Song prize, newly brunette singer Natalie Maines--who made the infamous comments onstage in 2003--personally thanked her bandmates Martie Maguire and Emily Robison for supporting her during the controversy.
She joked, "I told you I'd take you to the Grammys, stick with me."
The 49th Grammys also served up a night to remember for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who claimed four top honors with wins for Best Rock Album and Best Boxed/Special Limited Edition Packaging for Stadium Arcadium and Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for "Dani California."
Meanwhile, American Idol winner-turned country sensation Carrie Underwood and Mary J. Blige claimed three awards apiece. It was a bittersweet night for Blige, who entered the Grammys leading the pack of nominees with eight nods.
Composer John Williams, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer, Tony Bennett, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Ludacris, jazz great Chick Corea and Gnarls Barkley were among the double Grammy winners.
The full winners list can be seen on the next page...
Record of the Year
"Not Ready to Make Nice" - Dixie Chicks
Album of the Year
Taking the Long Way - Dixie Chicks
Song of the Year
"Not Ready To Make Nice" - Dixie Chicks
Best Rock Album
Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Best New Artist
Carrie Underwood
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
"Ain't No Other Man" - Christina Aguilera
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
"Waiting on the World to Change" - John Mayer
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
"My Humps" - The Black Eyed Peas
Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
"For Once in My Life" - Tony Bennett &amp; Stevie Wonder
Best Pop Instrumental Performance
"Mornin'" - George Benson (&amp; Al Jarreau)
Best Pop Instrumental Album
Fingerprints - Peter Frampton
Best Pop Vocal Album
Continuum - John Mayer
Best Dance Recording
"Sexy Back" - Justin Timberlake &amp; Timbaland
Best Electronic/Dance Album
Confessions on a Dance Floor - Madonna
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Duets: An American Classic - Tony Bennett
Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance
"Someday Baby" - Bob Dylan
Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
"Dani California" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Best Hard Rock Performance
"Woman" - Wolfmother
Best Metal Performance
"Eyes of the Insane" - Slayer
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
"The Wizard Turns On..." - The Flaming Lips
Best Rock Song
"Dani California" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Best Alternative Music Album
St. Elsewhere - Gnarls Barkley
Best Female R&amp;B Vocal Performance
"Be Without You" - Mary J. Blige
Best Male R&amp;B Vocal Performance
"Heaven" - John Legend
Best R&amp;B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
"Family Affair" - (Sly &amp; The Family Stone), John Legend, Joss Stone with Van Hunt
Best Traditional R&amp;B Vocal Performance
"God Bless the Child" - George Benson &amp; Al Jarreau Featuring Jill Scott
Best Urban/Alternative Performance
"Crazy" - Gnarls Barkley
Best R&amp;B Song
"Be Without You" - Mary J. Blige
Best R&amp;B Album
The Breakthrough - Mary J. Blige
Best Contemporary R&amp;B Album
B'Day - Beyonce
Best Rap Solo Performance
"What You Know" - T.I.
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
"Ridin'" - Chamillionaire Featuring Krayzie Bone
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
"My Love" - Justin Timberlake Featuring T.I.
Best Rap Song
"Money Maker" - Ludacris Featuring Pharrell
Best Rap Album
Release Therapy - Ludacris
Best Female Country Vocal Performance
"Jesus, Take the Wheel" - Carrie Underwood
Best Male Country Vocal Performance
"The Reason Why" - Vince Gill
Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
"Not Ready to Make Nice" - Dixie Chicks
Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
"Who Says You Can't Go Home" - Bon Jovi &amp; Jennifer Nettles
Best Country Instrumental Performance
"Whiskey Before Breakfast" - Bryan Sutton &amp; Doc Watson
Best Country Song
"Jesus, Take the Wheel" - Carrie Underwood
Best Country Album
Taking the Long Way - Dixie Chicks
Best Bluegrass Album
Instrumentals - Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
Best New Age Album
Amarantine - Enya
Best Contemporary Jazz Album
The Hidden Land - Béla Fleck &amp; the Flecktones
Best Jazz Vocal Album
Turned to Blue - Nancy Wilson
Best Jazz Instrumental Solo
Some Skunk Funk - Michael Brecker
Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group
The Ultimate Adventure - Chick Corea
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Some Skunk Funk - Randy Brecker with Michael Brecker, Jim Beard, Will Lee, Peter Erskine, Marcio Doctor &amp; Vince Mendoza
Best Latin Jazz Album
Simpatico - The Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project
Best Gospel Performance
"Victory" - Yolanda Adams
Best Gospel Song
"Imagine Me" - Kirk Franklin
Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album
Turn Around - Jonny Lang
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Wherever You Are - Third Day
Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album
Glory Train - Randy Travis
Best Traditional Gospel Album
Alive in South Africa - Israel &amp; New Breed
Best Contemporary R&amp;B Gospel Album
Hero - Kirk Franklin
Best Latin Pop Album
Limón y Sal - Julieta Venegas
Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album
Amar Es Combatir - Mana
Best Tropical Latin Album
Directo Al Corazon - Gilberto Santa Rosa
Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album
Historias de Mi Tierra - Pepe Aguilar
Best Tejano Album
Sigue el Taconazo - Chente Barrera Y Taconazo
Best Norteno Album
Historias Que Contar - Los Tigres del Norte
Best Banda Album
Mas Alla del Sol - Joan Sebastian
Best Traditional Blues Album
Risin' with the Blues - Ike Turner
Best Contemporary Blues Album
After the Rain - Irma Thomas
Best Traditional Folk Album
We Shall Overcome - The Seeger Sessions - Bruce Springsteen
Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album
Modern Times - Bob Dylan
Best Native American Music Album
Dance with the Wind - Mary Youngblood
Best Hawaiian Music Album
Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar - Live from Maui - Various Artists
Best Reggae Album
Love Is My Religion - Ziggy Marley
Best Traditional World Music Album
Blessed - Soweto Gospel Choir
Best Contemporary World Music Album
Wonder Wheel: Lyrics by Woody Guthrie - The Klezmatics
Best Polka Album
Polka in Paradise - Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra
Best Musical Album for Children
Catch That Train! - Dan Zanes and Friends
Best Spoken-Word Album for Children
Blah Blah Blah: Stories About Clams, Swamp Monsters, Pirates &amp; Dogs - Bill Harley
Best Spoken-Word Album
Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis - Jimmy Carter with Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together - Ossie Davis &amp; Ruby Dee
Best Comedy Album
The Carnegie Hall Performance - Lewis Black
Best Musical Show Album
Jersey Boys - Original Broadway Cast with Christian Hoff, Daniel Reichard, J. Robert Spencer, John Lloyd Young &amp; Others
Best Compilation Soundtrack Album
Walk the Line - Joaquin Phoenix &amp; Various Artists
Best Score Soundtrack Album
Memoirs of a Geisha - John Williams
Best Song Written for Motion Picture/Television
"Our Town (from Cars)" - Randy Newman/James Taylor
Best Instrumental Composition
"A Prayer for Peace" - John Williams
Best Instrumental Arrangement
"Three Ghouls" - Chick Corea
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
"For Once in My Life" - Tony Bennett &amp; Stevie Wonder
Best Recording Package
10,000 Days - Tool
Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Best Album Notes
If You Got to Ask, You Ain't Got It! - Fats Waller
Best Historical Album
Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922 - Various Artists
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
At War with the Mystics - The Flaming Lips
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Rick Rubin
Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
"Talk (Thin White Duke Mix)" - Coldplay
Best Surround-Sound Album
Morph the Cat - Donald Fagen
Best Engineered Album, Classical
Elgar: Enigma Variations; Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Four Sea Interludes - Paavo Jarvi &amp; Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Producer of the Year, Classical
Elaine Martone
Best Classical Album
Mahler: Symphony No. 7 - San Francisco Symphony
Best Orchestral Performance
Mahler: Symphony No. 7 - San Francisco Symphony
Best Opera Recording
Golijov: Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears - Women of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Best Choral Performance
Pärt: Da Pacem - Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra)
Messiaen: Oiseaux Exotiques (Exotic Birds) - Cleveland Chamber Symphony
Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (Without Orchestra)
Chopin: Nocturnes - Maurizio Pollini
Best Chamber Music Performance
Intimate Voices - Emerson String Quartet
Best Small Ensemble Performance
Padilla: Sun of Justice - Los Angeles Chamber Singers' Cappella
Best Classical Vocal Performance
Rilke Songs - Lorraine Hunt Lieberson
Best Classical Contemporary Composition
Golijov: Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears - Osvaldo Golijov
Best Classical Crossover Album
Simple Gifts - London Voices, London Symphony Orchestra
Best Short-Form Music Video
"Here It Goes Again" - OK Go
Best Long-Form Music Video
Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
Lifetime Achievement Award
Booker T and the M.G.'s
The Doors
Grateful Dead
Maria Callas
Bob Wills
Ornette Coleman
MusiCares Person of the Year
Don Henley
Presidents Merit Award
Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss
Trustees Award
Estelle Axton
Stephen Sondheim
Cosimo Matassa
COPYRIGHT 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved.

Chappelle's $50 million richer
Comedy Central's hot commodity Dave Chappelle inked a massive deal with the Viacom-owned cabler for two more seasons of his hit series Chappelle's Show. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the deal could be worth about $50 million, catapulting Chappelle, 30, into television's top earners. He'll be paid approximately $5 million per episode with a 10-episode commitment per season, will have a chance to profit from the show's DVD sales, and has set up a multimillion-dollar deal with Viacom's Paramount Pictures to star in features include an adaptation of the autobiography of Rick James, the funk veteran whom Chappelle has lampooned on his show. The ratings for Chappelle's Show have been high and have also helped to boost other longtime staples including The Daily Show With Jon Stewart and South Park."Life without Chappelle's Show would not have been very bright as far as getting or exceeding those numbers again," said Lauren Corrao, senior VP of original programming and head of development, told the Reporter. "It means a great deal to growing our schedule. We're thrilled to have him back."
MTV Music Video Awards adds more to its celeb roster
Dave Chappelle is also making an appearance at the 21st annual MTV Music Video Awards, joining other celebs including Paris Hilton, Lenny Kravitz, Ludacris, LL Cool J, Jon Stewart and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, The Associated Press reports. MTV announced that hip-hop artists Lil' Jon, Petey Pablo, the Ying Yang Twins and Terror Squad featuring Fat Joe will perform, along with Usher, Kanye West, Yellowcard, Jet, Hoobastank and Jessica Simpson. The show will air live Aug. 29 in Miami, Fla. Jay-Z's jarring video for "99 Problems," which depicts his own murder as a metaphor for his retirement from rapping, leads with six nominations. Beyonce, No Doubt and OutKast received five nominations each.
VH1 to air Jackson movie
VH1 will debut its original movie on beleaguered pop star Michael Jackson Friday, AP reports. Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story traces the trials and tribulations of Jackson's life from his Motown days to his present legal woes, starring UPN's One on One's Flex Alexander as the King of Pop, who performed all the dance moves.
Franken brings radio show to cable TV
Liberal political humorist Al Franken is headed back to television next month with plans to bring his radio show to the Sundance cable TV channel, a spokesman told Reuters on Monday. Starting Sept. 7, Sundance will package the best of Franken's three-hour weekday radio program into a one-hour telecast of highlights that will air at 11:30 p.m. the same night, with repeats at 2:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. the next morning. His radio show debuted on March 31 as part of the fledgling Air America radio network, billed as a liberal antidote to the predominantly right-leaning talk-show culture whose ranks include Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly.
Chris Rock releases first album in five years
Funnyman Chris Rock is preparing to release Never Scared, his first album since 1999's Bigger and Blacker, Reuters reports. The album, due Aug. 31 through Geffen, features material from his HBO special of the same name as well as a handful of music parodies and new comedy sketches including a parody of OutKast's hit "Hey Ya!" dubbed "Crackers." The album will also include a DVD with behind-the-scenes footage from the HBO special. Rock, who has been on hiatus from film for the past two years, will be heard in the 2005 animated feature Madagascar and is set to star in the remake of the football-themed The Longest Yard starring Adam Sandler and rapper Nelly.
Schwarzenegger settles bobblehead doll dispute
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has settled a lawsuit against Ohio Discount Merchandise Inc., the company that produces bobblehead dolls featuring a gun-toting Schwarzenegger in a business suit. Under the new agreement, the company can produce dolls, priced at $19.99, but without the gun. Ohio Discount also agreed to donate a portion of sales to Schwarzenegger's nonprofit Arnold All-Stars after-school program in Los Angeles, the AP reports. But Ohio Discount's co-owner, John Edgell, said he opposes the settlement and plans to seek an injunction. His partner Todd Bosley said he severed ties with Edgell when he sought offers for a "Groping Arnold" bobblehead, after accusations surfaced that said Schwarzenegger had groped several women during his years in Hollywood.
Valenti comments on Hollywood's changing landscape
Jack Valenti, who announced in June he was stepping down as MPAA president and CEO after nearly four decades, said in an opinion column in Monday's Los Angeles Times that his greatest achievement as head of the Motion Picture Association of America was that he survived. "To endure in a volatile, unpredictable arena populated by egos the size of small planets is not an inconsiderable achievement," Valenti, 82, wrote. Valenti also noted the vast changes in Hollywood during his 38-year tenure, including huge increases in production and marketing costs; reliance on make-or-break opening weekends; the explosion of the DVD market; and the piracy risk digital cinema presents. Dan Glickman, the former U.S. agriculture secretary under President Clinton, takes over as MPAA chief Sept. 1, while Valenti will continue to oversee the movie ratings system.
Green Day hits the road
Green Day will be touring in support of their new album, American Idiot, due Sept. 21 via Reprise, Reuters reports. The routing for the tour is not yet finalized, but is expected to get underway Oct. 19 in Ft. Worth, Texas, with rock act New Found Glory and up-and-coming rock outfit Sugarcult in tow. American Idiot is the follow-up to 2000's Warning, which debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 1 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Before the fall tour, Green Day will perform American Idiot in full at a handful of dates closer to the album's release.
Guylaine Cadorette contributed to this report.

Top Story: Document May Back Jackson's Defense
A confidential document posted on The Smoking Gun Web site indicates authorities in Los Angeles cleared Michael Jackson of sexual allegations involving the same boy months before the singer was arrested on molestation charges in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Nov. 20. The internal memo says a confidential investigation by LAPD and child welfare officials concluded in February that allegations Jackson sexually abused a cancer-stricken boy were "unfounded" and that the minor "denied any form of sexual abuse" and said that he never "slept in the same bed as the entertainer." The investigation was launched in response to a complaint filed by an official from the Los Angeles Unified School District. Smoking Gun editor Bill Bastone told ABC News' Good Morning America he called Santa Barbara investigators and told them about the document before releasing it on his Web site. "They were very surprised and basically said California law does not allow them to comment on any degree of the investigation," Bastone said. "They essentially confirmed that the document is real as we already knew but beyond that they couldn't talk about it, which is what we expected." Jackson, who was booked last month on multiple counts of child molestation after the 14-year-old boy alleged the singer sexually abused him during visits to his Neverland Ranch two years ago, has called the allegations "a big lie."
Three Charged in Great White Nightclub Fire
Three people were charged Tuesday with involuntary manslaughter in the first criminal counts stemming from a blaze that killed 100 people and injured some 200 at a performance by the band Great White at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. According to Reuters, club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, along with Great White's former road manager Dan Biechele, were each charged with 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter with criminal negligence, and 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter in violation of a misdemeanor. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The club went up in flames Feb. 20 during a pyrotechnic display at the start of a Great White concert. It was the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history.
George Clinton Arrested for Drug Possession
Funk music pioneer George Clinton was arrested Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla., and charged with drug possession, The Associated Press reports. Clinton, 63, was arrested after a police officer noticed a man sitting alone in the passenger seat of a car in a gas station parking lot at about 2 a.m. When the officer got to the car, the man, later identified as Clinton, tried to hide an item he was holding by dropping it between the seats. When the officer asked him if he had anything in his pocket that might be dangerous, Clinton allegedly responded, "I've got a little cocaine." Clinton was charged with one felony count of cocaine possession and a misdemeanor count of possession of a crack pipe--the item he is accused of dropping between the seats. He was later released on bond.
"Average Joe" Loses to Hot Guy
Contestant Melana Scantlin picked Jason Peoples, the hunky 27-year-old waiter from California, over Manhattan trader Adam Mesh on Monday night's two-hour finale of NBC's reality series Average Joe. "When I look at you I see a future with you ... and I'm excited about that," Scantlin told Peoples. "I'm really excited to spend more time with you. I think you're amazing." The former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader was first presented with a group of average looking guys to choose from on the show, but the network later added a twist by throwing some good-looking guys in the mix.
A Bachelor Still
The Bachelor's Andrew Firestone and Jen Schefft have broken up-just six months after the heir to the Firestone tire and wine fortune proposed on the ABC dating show. The reality TV couple released a statement to the syndicated entertainment series Extra Monday, saying they were no longer together. "This is a decision we made together through long and thoughtful discussion," Firestone said. "It is totally amicable and, though we care for each other deeply, we have come to realize that our future goals are different."
Activist Rosa Parks Takes on OutKast
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that civil rights activist Rosa Parks may proceed with her lawsuit against OutKast and three Bertelsmann AG units-- LaFace Records, Arista Records and BMG Entertainment--over the rap duo's 1998 hit single, "Rosa Parks." The lyrics to the Grammy-nominated song, from the 1998 album Aquemini, do not mention Parks by name, but the chorus says, "Ah, ha, hush that fuss. Everybody move to the back of the bus." Parks claims the use of her name without permission constituted false advertising and infringed on her right to publicity, as well as defamed her character and interfered with a business relationship, Reuters reports.
GLAAD Announces 2004 Noms
Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and HBO's Angels in America are among the nominees for the Gay &amp; Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation's15th annual Media Awards. The Media Award honors fair and accurate portrayals of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community in the media. Some of the nominees for film and television include Under the Tuscan Sun, Bend It Like Beckham, ESPN's Playmakers and Showtime's A Boy Named Sue. Julianne Moore, Megan Mullally, John Waters and Clive Barker are among those to be recognized for their "commitment to gay and lesbian visibility and equality." GLAAD will host three separate awards kudocasts in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco in the spring, Variety reports.
Bowie Postpones North American Tour Dates
British rocker David Bowie has had to postpone the kickoff for "A Reality Tour," his first North American tour in eight years after doctors ordered him to remain in bed for a few more days to fight off a bout of influenza, Reuters reports. The tour was initially delayed last week after Bowie's illness forced him to cancel shows in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. But now the legendary singer has postponed two more shows, including Tuesday's show at Boston's FleetCenter and Wednesday's performance at Philadelphia's First Union Spectrum. Clear Channel Entertainment said Monday it now expects the tour to kick off Friday in Toronto The earlier dates are expected to be rescheduled and tickets for the postponed shows would be honored.
Role Call: Jerry Seinfeld's Bee Movie, MC Hammer Gets Sitcom
Jerry Seinfeld is embarking on his first major project since he retired his top-rated NBC sitcom in 1998. According to Variety,

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Die Another Day dominated the Thanksgiving box office with 007 placing first for the five day holiday period and Harry topping the three day chart.
Die enjoyed the biggest five day (Wed.-Sun.) slice of box office pie with $46.3 million versus Harry's $45.8 million. For three days (Fri.- Sun.), Harry led with $32.2 million versus Die's $31.0 million.
Santa Clause 2 came down the chimney in third place with a jolly $17.2 million for five days.
Treasure Planet kicked off slowly in fourth place with $16.5 million for five days.
Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights opened calmly in fifth to $15.1 million for five days.
Thanksgiving's biggest grosses, however, weren't at the box office but at cash registers across the country as Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment sold seven million units of Ice Age, which went into DVD and video release last Tuesday.
Ice Age, a leading contender in this year's Oscar race for best animated feature, took in approximately $120 million from last Tuesday through Sunday (a five day period because retail stores were closed Thursday for Thanksgiving), according to Fox Home Entertainment.
Ice Age's gross in DVD and video actually exceeded the box office take for the holiday weekend's top three films, which together grossed about $109.3 million for five days.
Thanksgiving's three other wide theatrical openings were all box office leftovers -- Solaris with $9.5 million, Wes Craven Presents: They with $8 million and Extreme Ops with $3.1 million.
Driven by the Bond and Potter franchises, key films grossed $210.8 million for five days, up about 1.7 percent from last Thanksgiving (Nov. 21-25, 2001) when key films did $207.2 million.
THE TOP TEN
(NOTE: Today's films are ranked according to their estimates for the FIVE-DAY Thanksgiving holiday period from Wednesday through Sunday. Percentage variations do not apply because the previous weekend was a normal three-day weekend. Estimates for the three-day period from Friday through Sunday are indicated parenthetically.)
MGM and United Artists' PG-13 rated action adventure thriller Die Another Day, the 20th of the studio's Bond epics, led the five-day box office in its second week with an ESTIMATED $46.29 million at 3,324 theaters (+10 theaters; $13,924 per theater). Its cume is approximately $101.6 million. (Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $31.0 million.)
Die's average per theater was the highest for any film playing in wide release over the five day holiday period.
Directed by Lee Tamahori and produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, it stars Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry.
The last Bond film, The World Is Not Enough, opened Nov. 19-21, 1999 to $35.52 million at 3,163 theaters ($11,230 per theater) and went on to gross $126.9 million in domestic theaters and $225.1 million in international theaters for a worldwide total of $352 million. Die continues to look like it should out-perform Enough.
"It's amazing for a Bond," MGM senior vice president, publicity Eric Kops said Sunday morning. "The record to $100 million for a Bond is something like 23 or 26 days (so it's terrific) to do it in 10 days. Everyone's ecstatic!"
Warner Bros.' PG rated sequel Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets held on to second place in its third week with a still magical ESTIMATED $45.8 million at 3,682 theaters (theater count unchanged; $12,440 per theater). Its cume is approximately $200.2 million, reaching that milestone number in just 17 days. The first film in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, hit $200 million in 15 days. (Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $32.17 million.)
Directed by Chris Columbus, it stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
"It continues to be the first choice of all family moviegoers," Warner Bros. Distribution president Dan Fellman said Sunday morning. "It's playing to all demographics. It's consistent with the first Potter. The only difference is the better audience reactions. This enables us to gross extremely well throughout the balance of the holiday (season)."
Asked if he sees Secrets getting to $300 million in domestic theaters, Fellman replied, "I think we have a really good shot at it." The first in the series got to nearly $318 million domestically.
When Secrets opened there were those who doubted it would do much more than $200 million. What does Fellman say to them now? "Harry Potter continues to be a cultural phenomenon," he said. "Its audience base is obviously growing. They loved the first movie. They couldn't wait to see the second. They like the second better than the first. I think there's a tremendous anticipation already for number three (which opens) in June of 2004."
Buena Vista/Disney's G rated comedy sequel Santa Clause 2 rose one rung to third place in its fifth week, showing good legs with an ESTIMATED $17.2 million at 2,526 theaters (-725 theaters; $6,808 per theater). Its cume is approximately $113.9 million. (Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $12.3 million.)
Directed by Michael Lembeck, it stars Tim Allen.
"When you add these two (films) together, it is a very good number," Buena Vista Distribution president Chuck Viane said Sunday morning, referring to the nearly $34 million that Disney grossed with Santa Clause 2 and Treasure Planet together. "It's not particularly the way I expected it would play out, but at the same time it's a great family market and we've got a lot of the holiday ahead of us so I'll look forward to that."
Looking at Santa 2, Viane observed that the sequel "looks so much like the original, which aged very, very well as it got closer and closer to (Christmas). We're looking forward to some big weekends ahead."
Where is Santa heading in domestic theaters? "I think conservatively it's probably somewhere between $130-140 million. Once we get closer, we'll hone in on it, but certainly there's more than 15 million bucks in it. This weekend was so good, you've just got to look ahead and say there is the possibility of getting to the next plateau. I'm really hoping that's what will happen."
Buena Vista/Disney's PG rated animated sci-fi adventure Treasure Planet opened fourth with less box office treasure than hoped for, grossing an ESTIMATED $16.5 million at 3,227 theaters ($5,108 per theater). (Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $11.9 million.)
Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, its screenplay is by Ron Clements and John Musker.
"Treasure opened softer than we expected," BV's Chuck Viane said. "At the same time, when you (look at) the CinemaScores and you get four A's and two B-pluses, you've got to look forward and say that like Santa Clause this is probably going to be in the market for a long time and certainly with the holidays coming up it can only get better for us.
"It was a great holiday weekend in total and you've just got to assume that in the eventuality of everything we'll get our numbers. I look at pictures like Greek Wedding and The Ring and neither one of them stormed out of the gate and yet they are both such wonderfully successful films. I hope that's the category we'll be in."
Columbia's PG-13 rated animated musical Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights kicked off calmly in fifth place with an ESTIMATED $15.1 million at 2,503 theaters ($6,013 per theater). (Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $10.1 million.)
Directed by Seth Kearsley, it was produced by Adam Sandler, Jack Giarraputo and Allen Covert.
"It's a $34 million negative. Obviously, by animated standards it's really inexpensive," Sony Pictures Entertainment vice chairman Jeff Blake said Sunday morning.
"We had a lot of fun with the movie and it looks like we're going to end up well on it. I certainly would think we're going to get to $40 million at least and (that means) we make money. And it was a lot of fun to do. I think (Sandler) had fun doing it. It was something different. I think it was a good experience for everybody and one that will make us money."
New Line Cinema's R rated comedy sequel Friday After Next slid three slots to sixth place in its second week with an okay ESTIMATED $11.03 million at 1,621 theaters (+5 theaters; $6,801 per theater). Its cume is approximately $25.6 million.(Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $7.75 million.)
Directed by Marcus Raboy, it stars Ice Cube and Mike Epps.
Twentieth Century Fox and Lightstorm Entertainment's PG-13 rated sci-fi adventure Solaris got off to a disappointing start, opening in seventh place to an ESTIMATED $9.45 million at 2,406 theaters ($3,928 per theater). (Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $6.78 million.)
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, it stars George Clooney.
"It was well reviewed," Fox distribution president Bruce Snyder said Sunday morning, assessing the results. "Maybe (it's) too intelligent, too slick."
Universal and Imagine Entertainment's R rated drama 8 Mile fell three pegs to eighth place in its fourth week with an uneventful ESTIMATED $8.51 million at 2,498 theaters (-87 theaters; $3,408 per theater). Its cume is approximately $107.6 million, heading for $120 million. (Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $5.9 million.)
Directed by Curtis Hanson and produced by Brian Grazer, it stars Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy and Mekhi Phifer.
Miramax's Dimension Films opened its PG-13 horror film Wes Craven Presents: They in ninth place to a soft ESTIMATED $8.0 million at 1,615 theaters ($2,589 per theater). (Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $5.2 million.)
Directed by Robert Harmon, it was written by Brendan William Hood.
Miramax said They was "a North American acquisition for $4 million."
Rounding out the Top Ten was DreamWorks' PG-13 rated horror thriller The Ring, down three rungs in its seventh week with an okay ESTIMATED $7.8 million at 1,912 theaters (-716 theaters; $4,087 per theater). Its cume is approximately $120.0 million, heading for $135 million.(Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $5.5 million.)
Directed by Gore Verbinski, it stars Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson and Brian Cox.
Thanksgiving weekend also saw IFC Films' release of Gold Circle Films and HBO's PG rated romantic comedy blockbuster My Big Fat Greek Wedding drop out of the Top Ten. Wedding fell three slots to eleventh place in its 33rd week, still performing very well with an ESTIMATED $5.5 million at 1,257 theaters (-328 theaters; $4,379 per theater). Its cume is approximately $210.7 million, heading for $225 million or more in domestic theaters. (Its ESTIMATED gross for three days is $4.1 million.)
Directed by Joel Zwick, it stars Nia Vardalos and John Corbett.
OTHER OPENINGS
This weekend also saw the arrival of Paramount's PG-13 rated action film Extreme Ops to an extremely soft ESTIMATED $3.1 million at 1,800 theaters ($1,722 per theater).
Directed by Christian Duguay, it stars Devon Sawa.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
Revolution Studios and Columbia Pictures held 424 well attended sneak previews Friday of their PG-13 rated romantic comedy Maid in Manhattan.
Directed by Wayne Wang, Maid stars Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes.
"They were 90 percent of capacity (and) about 85 percent of them were completely sold out," Sony Pictures Entertainment vice chairman Jeff Blake said Sunday morning.
"Over 50 percent of the attendees rated it excellent, which was great. It was 60-40 female to male. We were surprised how many men attended, particularly young couples, and how many men rated it excellent. We think we've got the real feel good romantic movie for Christmas.
"It's one of those that if we get the younger and older females, which we did get a good mix of ages at the sneaks, and get men to go as a couple (with wives or girlfriends), we're going to be in great shape. And that's certainly how the sneaks look. I think everybody comes out of it just feeling great and it's a great ensemble romantic comedy."
After Friday's strong sneaks, Blake said, "We're very encouraged. We're going to sneak it again next Saturday (Dec. 7) in about 800 theaters. And then we open in about 2,500 theaters Dec. 13."
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front this weekend Focus Features' PG-13 rated drama Far From Heaven went wider in its fourth week with a still solid ESTIMATED $2.1 million at 284 theaters (+25 theaters; $7,505 per theater). Its cume is approximately $5.6 million.
Directed by Todd Haynes, it stars Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid and Dennis Haysbert.
Samuel Goldwyn Films' R rated drama El Crimen del Padre Amaro expanded in is third week to a hopeful ESTIMATED $0.9 million at 108 theaters (+22 theaters; $8,172 per theater). Its cume is approximately $2.5 million.
Directed by Carlos Carrera, it stars Gael Garcia Bernal and is the official Mexican entry in this year's best foreign language film Oscar race.
Miramax's R rated drama Ararat widened in its third week with an okay ESTIMATED $0.38 million at 33 theaters (+19 theaters; $11,364 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.8 million.
Written and directed by Atom Egoyan, it stars David Alpay, Charles Aznavour, Eric Bogosian, Brent Carver and Marie-Josee Croze.
Artisan Entertainment's PG rated documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown expanded in its third week with a quiet ESTIMATED $0.3 million at 54 theaters (+18 theaters; $5,224 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.6 million.
Directed by Paul Justman, it tells the story of the Funk Brothers, the legendary musicians who were Motown's back-up band on the tons of hit records the label produced in Detroit in the early '60s.
United Artists' R rated drama Personal Velocity, released via MGM, added theaters in its second week with a still encouraging ESTIMATED $58,000 at 5 theaters (+3 theaters; $11,600 per theater). Its cume is approximately $94,000.
Directed by Rebecca Miller, it stars Kyra Sedgwick, Parker Posey and Fairuza Balk. Velocity won the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
THANKSGIVING BOX OFFICE HISTORY
Looking back to 1990 indicates that the Thanksgiving marketplace has soared over the years, becoming one of Hollywood's happiest holidays. From their 1990 level of about $112 million, Thanksgiving ticket sales peaked at over $238 million in 2000. They slipped back in 2001 by about 13 percent to a still sizable $207 million. This year they were up about 1.7 percent from 2001 with an ESTIMATED $210.8 million.
On a year-by-year basis, here's a look at how Hollywood has sliced its Thanksgiving box office pie:
In 2001 key films -- those grossing $500,000 or more for five days -- took in $207.2 million.
Warner Bros. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was first with $82.4 million. Buena Vista/Disney and Pixar's Monsters, Inc. was second with $32.5 million. Universal and Beacon Pictures' Spy Game opened in third place to $30.6 million. 20th Century Fox's Black Knight opened in fourth place to $15.4 million. Fox's Shallow Hal was fifth with $12.1 million.
In 2000, key films -- those grossing $500,000 or more for five days -- took in $238.7 million.
Universal's Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas was first with $73.5 million. Buena Vista's opening of Unbreakable was second with $46.0 million. Buena Vista's 102 Dalmatians opened in third place with $26.2 million. Paramount's Rugrats in Paris: The Movie was fourth with $22.5 million. Columbia's Charlie's Angels finished fifth with $13.5 million.
In 1999, key films took in $218.9 million. Buena Vista/Disney and Pixar's animated sequel Toy Story 2 led the pack with $80.1 million. MGM/UA's James Bond sequel The World Is Not Enough was second with $34 million. Universal's Arnold Schwarzenegger epic End of Days opened in third place to $31.5 million. Paramount's Sleepy Hollow from director Tim Burton was fourth with $26.9 million. Warner Bros.' animated Pokemon rounded out the Top Five with $9.1 million.
In 1998, key films grossed $176.9 million, led by Buena Vista's A Bug's Life with $45.7 million.
In 1997, key films took in $147.2 million, led by Buena Vista's Flubber with $35.9 million.
In 1996, key films did $146.5 million, led by Buena Vista's 101 Dalmatians with $45.1 million.
In 1995, key films collected $154.3 million, led by Buena Vista's Toy Story with $39.1 million.
In 1994, key films earned $134.8 million, led by Buena Vista's The Santa Clause with $27.4 million.
In 1993, key films grossed $106.8 million, led by 20th Century Fox's Mrs. Doubtfire with $27.6 million.
In 1992, key films took in $134.2 million, led by 20th Century Fox's Home Alone 2: Lost in New York with $39.0 million.
In 1991, key films did $97.7 million, led by Paramount's The Addams Family with $27.8 million.
In 1990, key films took in $111.7 million, led by 20th Century Fox's Home Alone with $28.7 million.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 -- took in approximately $210.76 million for the five day Thanksgiving holiday period, up about 1.73 percent from last year's five day Thanksgiving weekend when they totaled $207.17 million. Comparisons to last weekend of this year are not valid because last weekend was a normal three-day weekend.